Tryvann Vinterpark Named Official 2012 World Championship Venue

Oslo, Norway – 7th September, 2010: A final “yes” was heard yesterday in the capital of Norwayfinalizing the plan to host the inaugural World Snowboarding Championships (WSC) in Oslo in thewinter of 2012. The Norwegian Government approved the expansion of the Tryvann Vinterparkresort arena, with no changes, which will guarantee the venue to host the event. The WSC will beheld every four years featuring men’s and women’s slopestyle and halfpipe competitions, and willcrown a world champion for each gender and discipline.

“The World Snowboarding Championships was developed with the athlete’s best interests inmind and we are confident the event will become a cornerstone of competitive snowboarding,”states Reto Lamm, president of the TTR. “Since riders will qualify through the Swatch TTR WorldRankings and the WSF National championships, the event will attract the best, most progressiveriders in the world.”

The decision to launch the event was made at the 2010 TTR General Assembly held last May,where the TTR, together with the WSF accepted the application from Norway to host the WorldSnowboarding Championships in Oslo. At that time, the finances were guaranteed by theMunicipality of Oslo, but the Norwegian Government had not approved the arena expansionplans. The final approval came as a result of a persistent three years of campaigning and wasachieved by a unique partnership between athletes, federations, sports clubs, organizers, theresort and the Municipality of Oslo.

“This event will offer great motivation to National Snowboard Associations sports developmentprograms at a local level as every nation will be involved in the qualifying system”, commentedMarco Sampaoli, WSF Vice-President.

At yesterday’s press conference the TTR founder and legendary snowboarder Terje Haakonsenand the Minister of Environment congratulated each other on Skype in front of the many athleteswho showed their support including Mikkel Bang, Fredrik Austbø and Helene Olafsen. During thepress conference, it was also announced that the Oslo Municipality’s 20-million Euro investmentis still subject to public regulation before construction of the new arena can begin at TryvannVinterpark, but the outlook is positive given the warm approval when news of the new venue wasmade public.

Updated news and information about qualification criteria, event details and scheduling will beavailable on www.ttrworldtour.com and www.worldsnowboardfederation.org.